Leydon: Mercy for convicted terrorist doesn't undermine justice

Sunday

Aug 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 30, 2009 at 4:54 PM

It takes a brave man to stand alone in the face of terrorism and in the name of justice. Faced with a barrage of British criticism, and mounting international pressure, Scotland's justice minister has not wavered nor backed down over his decision to release the Lockerbie bomber.

Liz Leydon/Guest columnist

It takes a brave man to stand alone in the face of terrorism and in the name of justice. Faced with a barrage of British criticism, and mounting international pressure, Scotland's justice minister has not wavered nor backed down over his decision to release the Lockerbie bomber.

Amidst the condemnation and criticism of devolved Scotland's decision, however, what has been overlooked is the fact that Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi's was released, not pardoned. The decision to free Mr. Megrahi was not political point scoring, diplomacy or a concession to terrorism. It was a decision based on legal precedents in Scots law and compassion to free a terminally ill prisoner, and it was made independently of the legal appeals process and the reasonable doubt over Mr. Megrahi's conviction that has grown over the past 20-plus years since the air disaster that claimed 270 lives at the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill is standing by his decision to release Mr. Megrahi from jail and to allow the terminally ill Libyan to return home.

The Scottish minister insists that the decision to free the prisoner was his and his alone. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has broken his silence on Mr. Megrahi's release to say he "had no role" in the decision.

While the families of the Lockerbie victims - such as the parents of Nicole E Boulanger of Shrewsbury, who was 21 when she died on board the ill-fated Pan Am 103 flight-may not, in their grief, understand or agree with Scotland's decision to free the Lockerbie bomber, the reality is Mr. Megrahi was a token prisoner and the truth of what happened in 1988 may sadly never be uncovered. While whoever is ultimately responsible for the Lockerbie bombing showed the passengers on flight 103 no mercy and should be brought to justice, there is no barrier to prevent us from showing mercy now to a dying man.

Compassion and mercy do not come easy for any of us, however, especially in the wake of terror, loss and pain. I remember, while based in Boston, living through the aftermath of 9/11, not knowing which loved ones had lived or died when the planes hit the Twin Towers in New York. I will never forget attending the funeral of Waltham-based businessman Jim Hayden, a passenger on the second plane, and watching his loving family say goodbye to an empty casket.

No one here in Scotland would ever have suspected that our government would contradict the wishes of America over Lockerbie, especially in this year of the Homecoming when ex-patriots and tourists are being encouraged to visit our nation.

Who would have thought a month ago that the actions of a Scottish minister would be on the minds of everyone from President Barack Obama, who remains furious at the release, to Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, Scotland, who on the other hand, has spoken out in support of the decision to send Mr. Megrahi home?

"I personally, and many others in the Catholic community admired the decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on grounds of compassion which is, after all, one of the principles inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament by which Scotland's Government should operate," the archbishop said.

He added, however, he would like to see the bombing fully investigated.

"I would welcome any move which would try to find clearer answers as to what happened and why."

Canon Patrick Keegans, parish priest in Lockerbie at the time of the air disaster on whose street the bombed plane fell in 1988, is also relieved that Mr. Megrahi has been allowed to go home.

"He is a dying man and the best way to deal with him is in a true and proper fashion as a human being and let him die at home with his family and friends," the canon said.

The Lockerbie priest, who lost 11 neighbors from his street when the bombed plane fell from the sky, had visited Mr. Megrahi in prison and was unconvinced of his guilt.

The fact remains that Mr. Megrahi has been released and that that relations between Scotland and America have been strained as a result.

Rather than be divided over the politics of this latest development in the painful and poignant Lockerbie air disaster - a tragedy that has deeply affected the lives of so many - can we instead remain united in our grief and our compassion, ever hopeful that the full truth of what happened that December day will one day emerge?

Persecution, blame and name-calling at this stage in the process are not going to serve justice and political point-scoring is inappropriate, distasteful and offensive to the memories of the lives that have been shattered, in Scotland and America, by the worst ever terrorist attack on British soil.

I hope those who can forgive find it in their hearts to do so, and those who cannot find comfort in compassion. Then, perhaps, one day those who lost their lives at Lockerbie can finally rest in peace.

Liz Leydon, a former MetroWest Daily News writer and editor, is editor of the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper. She can be reached by e-mail at editor@scottishcatholicobserver.org.uk.

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